Devastating cuts will be bad for passengers

Despite the government putting the money on the table to keep bus services on the road for at least another six months, private operators are forcing through a set of devastating cuts and timetable changes.

People’s lives are once again being uprooted by the hunt for profit.

The truth is, until buses are brought into local, public control, the commercial interests of private companies will always be in conflict with the needs of passengers, communities and businesses.

In the meantime, South Yorkshire Mayor Oliver Coppard must deliver a decision on buying Powell’s bus company – now in administration – to be used as an operator of last resort.

A publicly-owned bus company could take the funding available from the government to keep more services on the road, as has happened in Pembrokeshire.